Hershey Medical Center Backboard Storage
Custom Equipment Kiosk – Hershey, PA
When Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center set out to solve a costly logistics problem, they called in KBM Industries. Every day, dozens of EMS crews delivered patients to the Emergency Department, left on hospital stretchers, and later discovered that their backboards, straps, and head-blocks had been individually boxed and shipped back to each ambulance company—an expensive, time-consuming cycle. An outside consultant had drafted a conceptual design for an on-site “backboard kiosk,” but the hospital needed a fabrication partner who could refine the idea, engineer the details, and build a structure tough enough to live outside the ambulance bay 24/7. KBM stepped in as that partner.
Design-Build Collaboration
Working shoulder-to-shoulder with the hospital’s facilities team and their consultant, KBM converted preliminary sketches into a fully engineered, code-compliant kiosk. We produced shop drawings, selected materials, and optimized the layout so EMTs could reclaim their gear in seconds without cluttering the busy entrance.
Purpose-Built Functionality
30 numbered cubbies sized for long boards and pediatric boards
Adjustable shelves for cervical collars and strap kits
Lockable, self-closing doors with hospital-grade continuous hinges
Integrated LED lighting for safe, round-the-clock access
Forklift pockets & modular roof panels that let the kiosk be relocated repeatedly as construction phases reshaped the site
Fabrication Highlights
3/16-inch plate skeleton MIG-welded, stress-relieved, and powder-coated in Hershey Medical Center colors
ASTM A500 tube uprights anchored to galvanized base plates with stainless wedge anchors
Sloped standing-seam roof that channels rain and snow away from the entrance
Three-stage zinc-rich primer plus super-durable polyester topcoat for long-term corrosion resistance
High-visibility reflective graphics to guide crews quickly to the correct cubby
Outcome & Impact
Since commissioning, the kiosk has eliminated freight costs and cut equipment turnaround from days to minutes. EMS teams serving Hershey, Harrisburg, and the wider Central PA region now retrieve their backboards immediately after patient hand-off and return to service faster, improving regional emergency readiness. The unit’s robust, modular construction has allowed hospital staff to relocate it multiple times during major expansion projects with zero damage or downtime, underscoring KBM’s commitment to real-world durability and client-driven solutions.
About KBM Industries
Based in Harrisburg, KBM Industries is a trusted, family-owned metal fabrication company serving clients across Central PA. We specialize in everything from custom components and sheet metal work to full-scale steel structure fabrication. No matter the size or scope of the job, our team is committed to delivering reliable, high-quality results with a focus on accuracy, strength, and outstanding service.
